The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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1. The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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Devona lifted the bags and handed the smaller one to the girl. She took it wordlessly, and Devona spared her a glance. The girl looked back blankly, and Devona sighed internally and escorted her after the guide. It appeared the man who travelled with her had decided to come along. That annoyed Devona, but she wasn't in a position to make demands. If this got them safely to a caravan and thence to Lahkis then it would have to be borne; there would be men on the caravan crew anyway, and after counting five or six they didn't bear counting. Either they would be honorable, or they would not. She would have to trust in the woman she'd hired to know what she was doing. The woman did appear to be competent, at least. Devona and the girl stood at a polite distance while the woman and her companion haggled with the agent to which they had been directed. The agent looked over at them and gestured in a derisory fashion, and Devona straightened a little. Something about her or the girl or both appeared to cause the agent a great deal of exasperation. There was more arguing, and the agent turned and gestured to the guide much as he had at Devona and her charge. Women. We found a caravan that doesn't take women. Her confidence in the young woman began to fade. Then the woman caught the agent's wrist and communicated something even the most stubborn merchant understands. She pressed a purse into his hand. The agent paused at the weight of the money and gave it a practiced shake. Then he glared hard at Devona and then back to the guide, made a resigned wave of his hand that portended no end of trouble in sight and took her guide into his small tent. A few seconds later the woman emerged with a small victorious smile and made the follow movement, a quick flick of the wrist, and Devona brushed the girl's arm and together they trudged after the guide and her man. |
Date: Jan 08, 2005 on 08:58 p.m. |
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2. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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The agent didn't want to pass them along to his client, and no matter how aggressively she argued, Mal silently agreed with him. It was a merchant caravan he represented, not a guiding leader, but there were no other suitable caravans leaving within the week. It finally took a little force, and not a little money, to convince him, but he saw reason and Mal emerged triumphant with a pass in hand. Their next great battle of wills would be with the caravan leader himself, and Mal knew he wouldn't be as easily won over as the agent had been. Still, there was a substantial amount of money involved, and money almost always won out. She was sure he'd see reason, eventually. He was another typical merchant, swarthy and capable-looking, and Mal gave him a studied look before approaching him. "Your agent directed us to you. We'll pay you a great deal of money to get us to Lahkis," she said, cutting directly to the point. "The woman and girl need gear, but the ranger and I," with a nod toward Reno, "have our own supplies. Two hundred for them, and fifty for us. Would that suit?" |
Date: Jan 08, 2005 on 09:23 p.m. |
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3. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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last updated at Jan 08, 2005 11:16 p.m. (1 times) Cale surveyed the new hires. They were not the worst prospects he had ever taken across the Vesari, but they were far from the best. Danno's man would hold up well enough, but the others were a game of chance. The ranger in particular would need to be watched; Cale's instincts told him that if insubordination was going to take root among the new hires, that man would be the sower. But they needed hands to move their cargo and he was available, so he would have to do."How many men accounted for?" Cale asked Riham away from the others. "Nine so far," Riham replied. Cale nodded slowly. "Start them loading the camels, we'll leave as soon as the rest arrive. I am . . . impatient to leave." Riham gave him an odd look, but moved off to carry out his orders. Cale walked to the pen where their camels were being kept and set to work harnessing and packing one the beasts. Now that Cale was useful once again, his impatience had a different feel to it. The sooner they could leave this city, the better. "Your agent directed us to you," said a voice behind him. "We'll pay you a great deal of money to get us to Lahkis. The woman and girl need gear, but the ranger and I have our own supplies. Two hundred for them, and fifty for us. Would that suit?" Cale finished tightening a strap and glanced over his shoulder at the woman. She was a foreigner, of imperialist stock if her coloring was any indication, though her accent sounded odd. Cale returned to his work. "Then there has been a mistake," he replied in Brindian. "I don't transport passengers. Talk to Gurrick Rowd at the Desert Gate, he will know when the next passenger convoy is leaving." |
Date: Jan 08, 2005 on 10:17 p.m. |
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Premium member in Fleet Admiral
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4. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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Mal squared her shoulders and managed to still sound civil, though her accent harshened and her expression was anything but polite. "And like you I take packages, not people, but they have money and a great need to cross the Vesari. The next convoy does not leave until next week and we will not be waiting that long." She looked around at the hired hands he had loading the caravan, and sniffed. "They are only two women. And we are no farm boys like you have working for you. We have money and will not be a burden, sir, and I urge you to reconsider." |
Date: Jan 08, 2005 on 10:26 p.m. |
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5. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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Contrary to the woman's words it was plainly clear that she, at least, would be a great burden if Cale accepted her offer. And why should he? What good would the gold do him? Carrying imperialist coin through the desert was madness; it was extremely heavy by volume and only made him a more attractive target to bandits, who knew that his cargo was otherwise not valuable enough by weight to be worth their trouble. And if he reached Lahkis with the gold still in his possession, its worth would be quartered, for gold was not nearly so valued by clansmen as it was by the imperialists. The only thing to do would be to spend the gold here in Guildsport on more trade goods, and that would mean more camels, more men, and another day before departure if Cale was lucky. Cale finished his packing, letting the woman wait. He went back over the straps and bags a second time, double-checking his work. Then he turned and said, in forced good humor, "Good day." He moved on to check on his men's preparations. |
Date: Jan 11, 2005 on 10:49 p.m. |
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6. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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Alarmed at the rapid deterioration of negotiations, Devona intercepted the man with a hand on his arm. He shot an irritated look at her and she pulled her hand back and fought the urge to look down. "Pardon me, Master," she said in low, accented Vesari, using the honorific intended for a higher-born male individual. "I understand your reluctance, but we are in dire need. We must leave, quickly. Yours is the only reputable caravan leaving within the week. The girl is quiet and won't make trouble. Neither will I. I need the woman with me as well. You can name your price, Master, but we must go with you." |
Date: Jan 12, 2005 on 11:02 p.m. |
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7. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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Cale scowled. "Telling me that you are in a great hurry to leave this city, is that supposed to convince me that it is a good idea to take you with me? Whoever you flee from, it is certain that I don't want you in my caravan when they catch up with you. And what can you possibly pay me that won't turn to sand when we reach Lahkis? Your gold means nothing there." |
Date: Jan 12, 2005 on 11:21 p.m. |
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8. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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She made a quick dismissive motion of her hand. "Look at the girl, Master," she said impatiently. "Look at her hands. She's no ruffian, no criminal. Her father is ill and waiting for her in Lahkis. He is too weak to make the journey through the desert. You need not protect us, though there is nothing from which we need protecting." He didn't turn away, and she pressed forward. "If you will not take gold, I have other means." She hesitated and then spoke more quietly. "I have two atacre crystals that you could easily move in Lahkis, and for more profit than you would see for them here. If you see us across the desert, you'll have them both." |
Date: Jan 13, 2005 on 11:18 a.m. |
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9. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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Atacre crystals. Cale studied the woman, trying to read her. Was it possible she was telling the truth? He didn't believe her story about a sick father, not for a moment; but with two crystals on the table what did Cale care? Such wealth would allow him to expand his operations, to run two or possibly even three caravans continuously. Even if something should happen to him then, his wife could manage the other caravans well and his family would be taken care of. Cale was won, he knew it. But he could still bargain. "I'll have one up front, before we leave the the city. The other you'll pay me when we reach Lahkis. In the desert you and your companions will follow my orders without question. There will be no free speech or thought or will from now until we reach our destination. Any disobedience will be met with punishment, and we only know one punishment. For you and your charge I would be lenient and leave you to fend for yourselves, but for your rangers I take no responsibility of protection and I will not hesitate to kill them myself if I so much as suspect mutinous thoughts. In either case I keep the first crystal. Do you accept these terms?" |
Date: Jan 13, 2005 on 04:02 p.m. |
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10. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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Devona nodded wordlessly. He either believed her or did not; it hardly mattered. Like most men, whatever qualms he'd had were vanquished by greed. She only hoped he would prove to be as difficult for someone else to purchase. She reached under her cloak and unfastened a small blue purse from her belt. He held out his hand and she handed it over and then turned and walked back toward the girl and the guides without waiting to see what he did with it. |
Date: Jan 13, 2005 on 07:09 p.m. |
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11. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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<We'd be better off without them, mate. He don't want us. Three women on his caravan and we ain't worth our weight in gold to him.> Reno gave her a warning look, one to remind her to lower her voice, but Mal was furious and having none of it. Her tirade had been variations of the same complaint since the caravan leader stepped away with their client, and it was more bitter every time she repeated it. <Ain't any different than the ones we left behind, anyway. Won't be anything but trouble if we buy on with them. Forget this.> <We'll see if the woman manages, Mal,> Reno told her in a cool tone, and Mal snorted but stopped talking long enough for him to step closer and rub his thumb against her shoulder reassuringly. She relaxed, just a little, and he dropped his hand. Neither said any more until the woman finished speaking with the caravan leader and headed back their way, and by the time she reached them, Mal managed to sound nonchalant again. "We on?" |
Date: Jan 13, 2005 on 11:51 p.m. |
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12. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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Devona nodded, but didn't say anything until she'd drawn close enough to speak quietly. "We're on," she confirmed grimly to Mal, "but he is a greedy and difficult fellow. We must take care not to offend him." She let that sink in and then continued. "For what I've paid him, even one such as he will provide our necessities. Is there anything you have left to purchase before we depart?" |
Date: Jan 14, 2005 on 12:10 a.m. |
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13. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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Mal ignored the hint, but not the question. "No, we have all our own supplies. And if you say he will provide for your gear, then we have nothing else to accomplish before we leave tonight." The woman nodded, and Mal glanced at Reno briefly before offering a grin. "I'm Malorik," she said, then tilted her head toward him. "This is Reno. Might as well make acquaintances, since I doubt we'll be friendly much with him or his hirelings." |
Date: Jan 14, 2005 on 12:20 a.m. |
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14. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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Devona smiled back, comfortable enough now in her relief to show a little warmth. "My name is Devona. This is Raspeth." She touched the girl's arm gently and the girl inclined her head respectfully. "We look forward to our journey together. We will wait here while you gather your things. I have no wish to be left behind," she said a bit sourly, "and he doesn't look like he'd pass up an excuse to depart without us." |
Date: Jan 14, 2005 on 12:27 a.m. |
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15. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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"We will have company," Cale said, telling Riham what he already knew. "I will talk to the men. Arrange with Doren for two additional camels and supplies." Riham nodded and started to turn. "Trahn," Cale said, stilling his second. Cale took a breath. "I have led many men through the desert. I have taken responsibility for many lives. It is vital that my men trust me with their lives, and so I have never asked any of them to perform any task that I would not. Riham, my friend, I ask you now that once the camels and the supplies arrive you teach those women how to load their camels so that they will not hinder us more than necessary." |
Date: Jan 14, 2005 on 01:15 a.m. |
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16. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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The imperialist girl-child and her nursemaid. That should only take the remainder of the afternoon. Riham looked sideways at his employer and gave him a rueful half-smile as his shoulders sagged slightly in defeat. "I trust you will remember this friendship when I come to ask you about Nechayalai, Alaran." |
Date: Jan 14, 2005 on 07:13 p.m. |
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17. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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Riham's interest in Cale's eldest daughter was a badly-kept secret, widely known but rarely mentioned, at least to Cale. But he had seen they way Riham and Nechayalai were together, and he trusted no man above his second. He had been expecting such a discussion for some time, but was not presently in the right frame of mind to have it. "Now is not the time to speak of this," he said, though his voice held no reproach. "When we reach Lahkis, you will accompany me to Alaran and be the guest of my household. If the day has come when I must talk of giving away a daughter, I would prefer to do so in the comfort of my home." He looked at Riham. "For the present, let us concern ourselves with our journey." |
Date: Jan 14, 2005 on 07:32 p.m. |
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18. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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Relief flooded through Riham and he left the little tent with a nearly indetectable spring in his step. It had been on his mind for some time to find a way to approach Cale regarding Necha. Now that the foray had been made, only the details remained. He respected the older man immensely, and though he had had no reason to doubt Cale's approval, it was gratifying to receive it nonetheless. The women were waiting near the gate to the pens with their belongings. The two with them had moved off to make their horses desert-ready, shaking out their traveling gear and rebalancing their packs, and Riham was glad he would not have to deal with them as well. The woman and the girl would be trouble enough. He introduced himself and in return received their names, though he did not ask for them. They were both wary of approaching the camels, but after observing Riham's assured movements around the large beasts they began to grow more bold. He provided them basic instruction on handling the pack harnesses and saddles and then watched while each of them attempted to follow his example. The older woman, Devona, went about the tasks with slow determination, showing neither satisfaction nor irritation, and after a couple of attempts she demonstrated passable proficiency. The girl, Raspeth, was more interested, but she tended to follow his movements rather than looking at the task that he was accomplishing with them. She started when he struck the camel's side before tightening the saddle, and it was obviously difficult for her to pull it tight. Riham let her struggle with it. So did the woman Devona. When the girl had gotten enough of a handle on the thick leather straps he had the camel kneel and put her into the saddle. She seemed relatively comfortable once she was off the ground, and followed his instructions well enough to lead the camel in a gentle circle around the pens. She gave it the command to kneel without being told how and stepped down to the ground with a rather satisfied expression. The woman Devona was clearly more used to horses, but she also learned without too much trouble. When he was certain both of them could ride on their own for long enough to clear the city he showed them how to pitch the canvas tents. It would be more challenging when it was sand and not packed dirt, but he decided that would have to wait. By the time the lessons were done they were both sweaty and dirt-stained, but they wouldn't be as much of a burden as they might have otherwise, and the sun was almost down. Task completed, Riham left them to transfer their belongings to the backs of their camels and returned to help Cale with the last of the preparations. |
Date: Jan 14, 2005 on 08:08 p.m. |
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19. Re:The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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The sun hung low in the sky when Cale called for his men to mount. The trade goods were packed, the camels loaded. Cale climbed up into his saddle and swatted the beast's side to make it rise. Leading the procession, Cale rode through the streets of GUildsport to the Desert Gate, portal to the Vesari valley and Lahkis beyond it. The terrain outside the port city was rolling and grassy, but before the night was through they would have reached the edges of the great desert, ancestral home of the clans. Cale guided his beast along the Desert Road as the members of his caravan emerged one at a time from the city. He had placed their passengers near the middle of the procession to best protect them from attack, though the chances of a bandit strike this near the city, where the Merchants' Guild heavies patrolled, were slim. Last to emerge from the city gates was Riham, whose eyes Cale trusted to watch for danger whether likely or not. With the setting sun at their backs the caravan trundled along the Desert Road, leaving civilization behind them. |
Date: Jan 14, 2005 on 08:41 p.m. |
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The Merchant Quarter - Doren's Office |
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All times are CST -8. |
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